Arizona Church Records

Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Arizona were the Roman Catholic, Latter-day Saint (LDS), and Presbyterian Churches.

An inventory that can help you find church records is Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Arizona. Phoenix, Arizona: Division of Professional and Service Projects, WPA, 1940. (Family History Library book 979.1 K22a; film 908038; fiche 6051298.)

The Family History Library has an extensive collection of LDS church records. The library has histories of local LDS congregations and an overview of Mormon colonization in:

McClintock, James H. Mormon Settlement in Arizona: A Record of Peaceful Conquest of the Desert. Phoenix, Arizona: Manufacturing Stationers, 1921. (Family History Library book 979.1 K2m; film 1033844 item 10.) The library also has histories of some of the Catholic missions of Arizona.

Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located:

The Arizona Historical Society at http://www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org/ houses early Spanish Catholic Church records in collections such as “Archivo General de la Nacion” and “Archivo Colegial Franscano of Queretaro, Mexico.”

Missions

Missions were established by religious denominations to serve the Indians.